One company is upgrading much of its equipment in an effort to maintain several Virginia manufacturing jobs.

It was recently announced that Owens-Illinois, Inc. will invest $20 million to upgrade equipment at its manufacturing plant in James City County. The upgrades, made possible through a public-private collaboration, will enhance the energy efficiency and technological capabilities of the plant, as well as maintain the plant’s 180 employees. Owens-Illinois manufactures glass containers for food, beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

“O-I is seizing the opportunity to make the James City County plant stronger and more competitive, which will help keep quality manufacturing jobs in James City County,” Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said in a press release. “Together, we are working to keep jobs in the region and the Commonwealth during this challenging economic time. As the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the world, Virginia is proud to boast this corporate partner.”

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Thousands of Pennsylvania jobs will be created by new projects in Allegheny County.

Gov. Edward G. Rendell recently announced his support for 12 projects throughout the county that will generate almost half a billion dollars in total investment and create or retain about 6,750 jobs. Rendell noted that Pittsburgh has received a lot of attention for its revitalization efforts during the last six years.

“Pennsylvania has not been immune to the challenges of the national recession, but here in Allegheny County, we’re seeing a solid return on our investments in projects that create jobs and improve the quality of life,” Rendell said in a press release. “We’ve invested in this region and reinvigorated downtown Pittsburgh by building on our strengths—our workforce, some of the world’s best universities, and our talents in the creative economy.

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The creation of Maryland’s first Clean Energy Center will help create thousands of green-collar jobs. Click here to see more Maryland jobs.

The facility will be located at the Camille Kendall Academic Center at the University of Maryland, The Universities at Shady Grove. The center will help support the state’s “smart, green and growing” efforts by offering assistance to newly developed technologies with pilot projects; the collection, analysis and dissemination of industry data and providing outreach and technical support to further Maryland’s clean energy industry.

“Today’s announcement marks yet another large step towards our goal of creating 100,000 ‘green collar’ jobs by 2015,” Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a press release. “This Center will leverage greater opportunities for our workers and a cleaner, greener Maryland for our families.

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Washington D.C. art jobs contribute a lot to the District’s economy.

According to a recent assessment by the DC Office of Planning and Washington DC Economic Partnership, the District’s creative industries generate more than $5 billion in income every year.

“The economic significance of the creative sector is clear – creative enterprises play a key role in contributing to the District’s economic vibrancy through tourism, income generation, and business incubation,” Harriet Tregoning, director of the Office of Planning, said in a press release. “Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to harness the extensive talent in the city in a way that will position the District as a global leader in creative industries.”

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